57 replies to this topic

[brucemoxon]

So, who's going? Any news? Gossip?

I see there's a celebration of 50 years since Peter Brock won his first Bathurst race. They're celebrating by having a race just for XU-1 Toranas. And someone must have said his name three times, because Bev will be there to present the trophy. Say PB's name three times and she just manifests. Creepy, really.

 

Sadly, it looks like many of the usual (and unusual) suspects will be absent. I've decided to make the trip and enjoy myself anyway.

 

BRM (probably the only one of them, too)

[cooper997]

Phillip Island is happening as I tap this. I went yesterday and had I not managed to lose my ticket I might have headed back today.

 

With all the hassles Co-vid has given the world, it was nice to be at an event for the first time since November 2020. It turned into a perfect Autumn day at the Island yesterday - blue afternoon skies, blue sea and some interesting cars and people about. So neither drowned rat or crispy burnt, that can be part and parcel of a visit to PI (sometimes in the same day).

 

Added a few trinkets to the book collection, notably one of the Klemantaski albums that's already been put to use in the Alta thread. A nice copy of John Barraclough's autobiography "When I Grow Up' and grabbed the chance to get an 8th edition of Dick Willis 'Optimism' book on Aussie specials direct from the man himself. Thank you for the nice inscription Dick. These amongst a bit more until the budget was spent.

 

The lack of international entries (for obvious reasons) meant the stuff I find interesting in the first few garages weren't so interesting. But as we know the guard of historics is changing as age catches up with drivers and cars.

 

Photos to follow when I get a bit more organised.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 12 March 2022 - 00:12.

[cooper997]

A couple of early Friday garage snaps. Wayne Wilson Brabham BT35 and Grant Walker Lotus 18 FJ

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Groups J, K & Lb sports racing qualifying...

 

(top) Graeme Raper getting ready to get the sidevalve V8 in his George Reed Monoskate wound up and a touch of power oversteer.

(below) TNF members, Shane Bowden's recent new toy, 17 Lolus Holden and Dick Willis 64 Nota Major about to head back for a check up under the bonnet. I have a photo from the previous lap where steam or smoke is escaping through the body opening for the exhaust. Must have been an easy fix because he was out for the J, K & Lb group first race later on.

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Looks like there's some live stream available... I know precious little about it, but it looks like you need to create an account first. 

 

https://abctv.live/v...istoric-racing/

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 12 March 2022 - 05:39.

[cooper997]

Friday afternoon racing session for Q & R racing, F1, Indy cars, etc...

 

(top) 133 Ian Buddery March 86C

(below) 29 Malcolm Boyd Elfin 792

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

[cooper997]

A couple more from Groups J, K & Lb sports racing qualifying...

 

(top) John Rundell's ex Paul England Ausca and Peter McKnight's Aarons Lotus Mk9 special

(bottom) Samantha Dymond's Lola Mk1, if I recall correctly under the Penrite warpaint it is the car David McKay landed in Oz around 1960. (Edit - not so - refer below photo)

 

 

 

 

Edit - a message from Dick Willis has informed me that the Dymond/Penrite Lola was originally a Singapore raced car. So not McKay's car.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 20 March 2022 - 10:00.

[Henri Greuter]

Friday afternoon racing session for Q & R racing, F1, Indy cars, etc...

 

(top) 133 Ian Buddery March 86C

(below) 29 Malcolm Boyd Elfin 792

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

Any ID data known about that 86C, history, chassis number????

 

There were a bunch of those 86C's built but to se one so far away from the USA is new for me
 

[Lee Nicolle]

Looking at those pics where were the crowd?? Everytime I have been it is well patronised. Even on Friday.

And looking at Natsoft where are the 5000s?   Not one in the entry.

Most other catgories seem to have  decent fields.

It seems that V8 Tourers are run wot ya brung. Jack Perkins in a VF is hardly historic at all. Even Larry in a VY much the same. Cut off say 20 years.

[cooper997]

Any ID data known about that 86C, history, chassis number????

 

There were a bunch of those 86C's built but to se one so far away from the USA is new for me
 

Henri, I can't personally help with the info you seek. Hopefully someone more up on these cars will chime in.

 

Have you looked to see if Allen Brown's oldracingcars site caters for them?

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Looking at those pics where were the crowd?? Everytime I have been it is well patronised. Even on Friday.

And looking at Natsoft where are the 5000s?   Not one in the entry.

Most other catgories seem to have  decent fields.

It seems that V8 Tourers are run wot ya brung. Jack Perkins in a VF is hardly historic at all. Even Larry in a VY much the same. Cut off say 20 years.

Lee, not sure which oasis you've been hiding the last couple of years, but the pandemic is, and will, continue to knock event numbers around. Not to mention the Queensland and Northern New South Wales floods that saw competitors having to drop out.

 

As for lack of F5000, I can only imagine that it was their turn to be 'on ice' as the way I understand things each year there's a group that miss out as the organiser's do their best to cater for all.

 

 

 

 

A couple more Friday snaps as the Groups Q & R Sports rumble down pit lane for their qualifying session.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[GazChed]

Any ID data known about that 86C, history, chassis number????

There were a bunch of those 86C's built but to se one so far away from the USA is new for me

Going to http://www.march86c.com will take you to the current owners website. Apparently it is chassis 11 supplied new to Curb Racing. Practised but not qualified at the 1986 Indy 500 by Tom Sneva ( he used chassis 31 instead ). It was however qualified in 1987 by Ed Pimm who retired from the race after 109 laps.

[Librules]

Looking at those pics where were the crowd?? Everytime I have been it is well patronised. Even on Friday.
And looking at Natsoft where are the 5000s? Not one in the entry.
Most other catgories seem to have decent fields.
It seems that V8 Tourers are run wot ya brung. Jack Perkins in a VF is hardly historic at all. Even Larry in a VY much the same. Cut off say 20 years.

The crowd was healthy on Sunday ..we got a good run into the track mid morning but earlier John Bowe reported a 5km line of cars. It was also quite heavy traffic on Saturday morning. The background area in those photos is not where the crowds gather. The F5000's elected not to run as they would have been combined with another class/es. They get a run at the Island in 2 weeks time for PIARC's 70th anniversary meeting.

[Henri Greuter]

Henri, I can't personally help with the info you seek. Hopefully someone more up on these cars will chime in.

 

Have you looked to see if Allen Brown's oldracingcars site caters for them?

 

 

Stephen

 

 

Going to http://www.march86c.com will take you to the current owners website. Apparently it is chassis 11 supplied new to Curb Racing. Practised but not qualified at the 1986 Indy 500 by Tom Sneva ( he used chassis 31 instead ). It was however qualified in 1987 by Ed Pimm who retired from the race after 109 laps.

Thanks fellows,

[cooper997]

(Top) Just as well the WA border opened last week... The Stubber lads from Western Australia. Paul's ex Moffat RX7 and Ray's Van Diemen FF89

(below) 1970s F1 driver, Larry Perkins and son Jack, both ran V8 Supercar Commodores at PI. I was outside the back of their garage when I spotted them together for a photo. I was too slow getting to the front to capture them properly. However Larry was kind enough to oblige my snap.

 

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 14 March 2022 - 02:07.

[brucemoxon]

Here are some of my photos. There were enough spectators to create traffic queues into and out of the track. Weather was perfect, racing was good, cars were, as always, interesting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cooper997]

Friday afternoon Racing Session for Q & R Racing...

 

(Top) Guido Belgiorno-Nettis Ferrari F1 came into Honda a bit too hot and missed the apex by this much...

(Below) Duncan MacKellar Reynard 92D and Ian Ross Beatrice F1 in background

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Friday afternoon, Heritage Touring Cars - supposed to be genuine Group C and Group A Touring Cars. When Australian Touring Car Championships had  lots of variety - as these couple of snaps capture.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Leo D]

Found this on YouTube, and thought it was a pretty good general over view of the weekend

 

Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport 2022 march - YouTube

[cooper997]

The youtube footage was obviously taken by a friend of a TNF member. Given he arrives at PI in Tim's ex Holden Dealer Racing Team Monaro.

 

 

Here's a couple of Friday afternoon Racing Session M & O Sports and Racing, including Formula Junior.

 

(Top) 163 Noel Bryen Rennmax BN1, 5 Peter Williams Brabham BT21A & Wayne Groeger Brabham BT29

(Below) 47 Adam Berryman ex McLaren 1964 Tasman-winning Cooper T70 (and updated for Phil Hill for the 1965 series), Peter Strauss Brabham BT6, 60 Grant Walker Lotus 18 & Jeff Brown Chevron B16

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

The ever popular Regularity Section covers a huge variety.

(Top) John Noble in the Ryan family, Demmit Fuelling Special
(Below) Quoted as Abby Wingett on natsoft, but it looks like the governor, Bill Hemming is having a steer in the Elfin Clubman.






Stephen

[MarkBisset]

Thanks Bruce and Stephen for all the marvellous photos.

 

Four days of clear skies, sun and Bass Strait glittering in the background is hard to toss. Star of the show was De Paoli with sensational car control of his Camaro, my WA buddies tell me he has Sprintcars in his CV which certainly showed.

 

Vince Holland’s Ralt RT21 Honda F3000 I’d not seen before, and was my personal favourite.  He drove the car very well and will certainly give Guido plenty to think about. No show on Sunday sadly.

 

J, K and L was great with terrific dices between Raper’s George Reed Special and the Reid boys in Faux Pas. Conor Ryan and Nick McDonald starred last year but were missing from this grid with Motorsport Oz issues (roll bar height), and sick new engine, in Demmit Fuelling Special and Repco Holden respectively.

 

Formula Ford was unbelievable with 52 cars but their zeal caused plenty of Safety Cars, a bumma...

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by cooper997
.....Here's a couple of Friday afternoon Racing Session M & O Sports and Racing, including Formula Junior.
 
(Top) 163 Noel Bryen Rennmax BN1, 5 Peter Williams Brabham BT21A & Wayne Groeger Brabham BT29
(Below) 47 Adam Berryman ex McLaren 1964 Tasman-winning Cooper T70 (and updated for Phil Hill for the 1965 series), Peter Strauss Brabham BT6, 60 Grant Walker Lotus 18 & Jeff Brown Chevron B16

 

 
 
Stephen

That's better, Stephen...

Edited by Ray Bell, 20 March 2022 - 08:13.

[cooper997]

Ray, I take it you mean taking it away from the advert.

 

 

Friday afternoon Racing session for Under 2 litre Group N Historic Touring Cars - The Sporting Cortinas were out in force this year.

 

(top) 62 David Schofield 4 door GT & 61 Mick Stupka Citroen in the background.

(below) 63 Michael George Lotus Cortina & 57 Simon Browning

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

Yes, Stephen, the advertisement.

 

At least the Citroen didn't have Minilite lookalikes...

[cooper997]

(top) The Guido Belgiorno-Nettis Ferrari pit garage

(below) Andrew Kluver Lola T332 NF-1

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Lee Nicolle]

Lee, not sure which oasis you've been hiding the last couple of years, but the pandemic is, and will, continue to knock event numbers around. Not to mention the Queensland and Northern New South Wales floods that saw competitors having to drop out.

 

As for lack of F5000, I can only imagine that it was their turn to be 'on ice' as the way I understand things each year there's a group that miss out as the organiser's do their best to cater for all.

 

 

 

 

A couple more Friday snaps as the Groups Q & R Sports rumble down pit lane for their qualifying session.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

Q R Racing, F5000, F1 & Indy cars is as listed on Natsoft.

As for crowds,, Covid is not restricting paying punters as there is no travel restrictions. May lose a few from Qld and northern NSW but the locals usually make a decent crowd as well as club displays etc.

[Lee Nicolle]

(Top) Just as well the WA border opened last week... The Stubber lads from Western Australia. Paul's ex Moffat RX7 and Ray's Van Diemen FF89

(below) 1970s F1 driver, Larry Perkins and son Jack, both ran V8 Supercar Commodores at PI. I was outside the back of their garage when I spotted them together for a photo. I was too slow getting to the front to capture them properly. However Larry was kind enough to oblige my snap.

 

 

 

Stephen

The Perkins with new suits.

And Stubber is going backwards with the squarking thing in comparison to other years. And no mention in race results.

[Ian G]

Cooper(& others) thanks for the Pics.,very interesting.

 

Tobacco Co.'s were getting involved,surreptitiously,in vintage racing pre-covid,not sure if that's still the case.

The classic is when the Ferrari team went to visit Enzo in his final days,hardly a frame without a Marlboro Overalls/Shirt logo being shown.Repeated regulary on FTA TV until a few years ago.

[Librules]

The Perkins with new suits.

And Stubber is going backwards with the squarking thing in comparison to other years. And no mention in race results.

I think there was an issue with the Mazda as it didn't leave the garage all weekend.   He has run it at the Island before ,  maybe 2010?,  and put on a good show, but in a different manner to his Camaro performances.   Fortunately it's not all about V8's 

[brucemoxon]

I believe the Mazda blew up. As did the similar car of Don Dimitriades, but at least he got some racing in. 

 

BRM

[cooper997]

Not very much in the way of racing Bruce.

 

Friday afternoon and the recovery officials were already busy.

 

 

 

Stephen

[GreenMachine]

Thanks for the posts on this year's event, I was one of those unable to make it and I greatly appreciate the coverage!   

[cooper997]

A couple more from Groups J, K & Lb sports racing. This time from late Friday arvo as these Aussie specials went down pitlane.for their first race.

 

(top) Philip Aitken Coad Vauxhall, Shane Bowden Lolus Lotus Holden, Dick Willis Nota Major, Charlie Mitchell TS monoposto and Peter McKnight Aarons Lotus special. Representing competitors from 4 states of Australia.

(below) Dick Willis Nota Major. By his own admission not one of his better PI Classics.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 23 March 2022 - 09:20.

[cooper997]

Friday arvo and the over 2 Litre Historic Touring Cars are at battle.- the domain of Holden, Ford, Mopar and Mazda (rotary).

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

A couple of BRG Brits from Friday Regularity.

 

Aaron Lewis XJ13 replica and Shane O'Brien Healey

 

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

I wonder who built that Jaguar replica?

 

I know Tony Dale was at one time working on one, I think based on a (copy?) Matich SR3 chassis.

[GregThomas]

Tempero over here has built at least two of them. No idea where they are now.

[cooper997]

Once upon a time Aaron with the XJ13 took part in this forum.

 

 

Here's the Group S sports cars in the PI marshalling area.

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Penrite are long-time supporters of Aussie Historics. Given the late John Dymond was a massive old car enthusiast. His friend George Hetrel raced this Bugatti and it now forms part of the Dymond family collection.

 

 

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by cooper997
Penrite are long-time supporters of Aussie Historics. Given the late John Dymond was a massive old car enthusiast. His friend George Hetrel raced this Bugatti and it now forms part of the Dymond family collection.
 

 
Stephen

Well, let's give them fuller exposure!

[cooper997]

Repco Highpower-headed Holden 6 cylinder in Tony Welsh Prad

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Group C Toyota Celica of Chris O'Connor

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

C Type in the car park display area

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

A couple of real photographers... one closest is veteran motor sport photographer, Neil Hammond, who by now must have accumulated a huge archive. The other, I'm not 100% sure but could be the man who started this thread. If so then he has some of his photos in the latest Australian Muscle Car magazine that has come out today. Clearly added at the 11th hour, because there's zero information with them!

 

Between categories there was 2 or 3 cars doing a lap for Charity - The Male Bag Foundation. Pay $50 and you could be driven around PI, hence the Mustang convertible heading for Siberia.

 

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 01 April 2022 - 09:58.

[cooper997]

On display behind the Perkins Engineering pit garages was LP's 1992 Bathurst 1000 VL GpA Commodore, aka 'Walkinshaw' that he shared with Steve Harrington that year.

 

Larry stuck with this shape when other Holden teams had moved on to the VN / VP model bodyshell.

 

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

https://autoaction.c...commodore-build

 

Stephen,

I freshened this great Tony Glynn Auto Action article a few months ago which explains the advances of VL to VN according to LP

m

[cooper997]

Mark, I'll post the VN GpA that was running at PI soon. I know you'll be super keen to see it.

 

 

Meantime, here's the Elfin Mallala of Tim Wright

 

 

Stephen

[brucemoxon]

A couple of real photographers... one closest is veteran motor sport photographer, Neil Hammond, who by now must have accumulated a huge archive. The other, I'm not 100% sure but could be the man who started this thread. If so then he has some of his photos in the latest Australian Muscle Car magazine that has come out today. Clearly added at the 11th hour, because there's zero information with them!

 

Between categories there was 2 or 3 cars doing a lap for Charity - The Male Bag Foundation. Pay $50 and you could be driven around PI, hence the Mustang convertible heading for Siberia.

 

 

 

Stephen

Nope, not me. I don't wear shorts in the Sun - far too Celtic / Nordic for such things!

Might be Phil Wisewould. 

And the Muscle Car photos were added indeed at the last hour - I sent them from the Island on that weekend - we printed three days later. Now where's my cheque?


BRM

Edited by brucemoxon, 03 April 2022 - 02:03.

[cooper997]

The 4th and final incarnation of Holden's Group A Commodores - the VN bodyshell.

 

This being Jamie McDonald's ex Bob Pearson example. The Winfield decal on the door suggesting it's in Eastern Creek livery rather than most cars in this category usual Bathurst mode. The ex Grice Craven Mild A9X Torana following is Tony Sawford.

 

 

 

Stephen